Rowan’s Law named after Barrhaven teen introduced at Queen’s Park to all party support
Posted Nov 25, 2015 05:12:47 PM.
Last Updated Nov 25, 2015 05:16:05 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO – A law named after a Barrhaven teen who died of Second Impact Syndrome was introduced at Queen’s Park by Nepean-Carleton, MPP Lisa Macleod, garnering all party support.
17 year-old Rowan Stringer died in May 2013 after being tackled at a rugby match only days after suffering another concussion.
Now, her parents have been spearheading a move to ensure other children are better protected if they get a concussion.
Rowan’s Law would establish a committee to implement the 49 recommendations that came out of a coroners inquest within a year.
Her father, Gordon Stringer said the law is all about ensuring kids who get concussions are properly managed, not stop kids from playing contact sports.
“So, this isn’t about, and never has been from our perspective about, forcing kids to wear helmets in Rugby. Helmets don’t help concussions.”
The recommendations include ensuring children who suffer a concussion are removed from a game and can’t return until they get a doctor’s approval.
A similar bill was tabled in the legislature in 2012 but was never passed and Stringer said the province has been given a second chance with Rowan’s Law and hopes it’s not thrown away.
If passed, it would be the first concussion legislation in canada.
